Farm Erosion Control Using Concrete Mats
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- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- Erosion is a big issue to control on farm. Not only does erosion rob you of inputs, but it can have significant effects downstream as well. This week I check out a cool new product being used to reduce bank erosion in a stream next to a paddock prone to flooding. A flexible concrete mat, made in NSW by Australian Concrete Mats is being used to reduce the environmental impact of cattle farming. Check out the full installation, from the repair of the damage to the completion of the job. Link to the product on my website timthompson.ag/
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Hope you can do a follow up story,. would be interesting to see what that area looks like.
As usual, great video, thank you
Good to see a farmer caring about stabilizing water ways, was back in the old country when they made farmers take care of this problem and it improved the rivers no end. Also helped to reduce flooding down stream. Only thing I could see as an improvement would be a totally degradable product that one decent sized vegetation had grown would disappear.
Hi Turning Point, Yes a totally biodegradable product would be ideal, however there are some areas that the mat works where the ground surface, or slopes would never be able to hold together with the natural processes of erosion, no matter what the natural products used to hold it. Our weather events, the disruption of landscapes and ecosystems to development have often eroded he integrity of those natural processes. Our concrete mat is designed to support and encourage the natural processes. Lend the strength of the concrete and geogrid back to nature to support its rehabilitation as best it can. for example, places like bridge abutments or mine tailings or pond linings. The nutrition underlay that we supply with the mat is designed to encourage and a support the growth of vegetation under the mat, the space between the concrete shapes will enable vegetation to grow through the mat and eventually the mat will be completely covered in vegetation, however also still have a hard armoured surface to hold the soil an vegetation in place to withstand those heavy rain or erosion events, long term. You can see more places that mat has helped to stabilise the ground and vegetation has regrown on our projects page: www.concretemats.com.au/project-library/ . Thanks for your interest in our products, please reach out if you want more info about erosion control and the flexible mat.
Rowan reed (Agro Forrest )had a similar water problem, planted trees ( cedar I think) worked well,
Would love to see a follow up, 2 years on...
Hi Tim.
I installed 70m x1.2m wide matting along side of steep track as a drain plus other 6x2.4m section for a spoon drain across the track in a spoon drain. Looks really promising and there was no wash in a couple of storms we've had since.
Seems a great product and looking at doing some more later.
So glad it’s working out for you mate. Thanks for letting me know!
Thank you
3 rules. Flatten, slow and spread.
Well done Tim!
seems to be a great innovation good job mate
I would like to have a look at it after the first winter...
That’s the intent.
Really important that we don't abuse our social licence. Spring update awaited.
What a super video!!! Grats on the new water way!!!
Lov'in that fence line 😍
Convenient product, made the process move along quickly.
I wonder what the difference in cost would be to using the same preparation but with a stabilisation blanket and a few truck loads of rocks of various sizes?
Not a bad thought. Although I have seen rocks wash down spoon drains, of various sizes, the concrete interconnected with mesh would reduce rock wash out. Great idea.
Hi Mark, Good question mate! The mat including underlay is $35 (ex GST) per sqm (current at April 2021). A few clients have mentioned that the quick install and long term benefits of the mat not being washed away like loose rocks etc will also make it economical. - also the mat can be driven on, it creates a hard armoured surface so that on slopes where a tractor can drive it can be mowed - not like rip rap loose rock. You can see lots of examples of where the mat can be used on our website projects page: www.concretemats.com.au/project-library/ or call us if you want us to quote your project. 0480 234 521.
great idea
Interesting... here in Wales we now get rain in about the same amount as before, but less often and in heavier falls, leading to erosion. On my place I've been putting willow rods to stabilise banks, do you have a quick-growing equivalent in Oz?
Not sure anyone is doing work on something similar...... I’ll keep my eyes and ears open!
@@FarmLearningTim surprised if not, we just shove the rods into the ground in late winter and they shoot up in the spring. The roots fix the ground and the stock browse the leaves. 👍
I'm a farmers son. You might have to define "willow rods". Yet we might be describing the same thing. My Old man used to plant Willow Trees along the main channels. Irrigation dairy land, with water coming from 200 miles away.
Pretty sure our Cricket bats, are made from English Willow. Regards Phil.
@@pjfmachine the rods are just straight cuttings about 18" long and maybe half an inch thick. We push two thirds of them into the ground, and up they come!
@ginojaco willows are considered noxious weeds over here. Landcare groups were grubbing them out from waterways for years.
Would like to see how this is working
Concrete Erosion Mat Vs Flood. Update After a Major Flood Event on Farm.
ua-cam.com/video/pAWKgh61y14/v-deo.html
It would be cheaper and easier to move if they just sold the matting and you had to add the lobs of cement.
Good idea My Day! However the savings on "time" will then be blown out! One of the main benefits of this mat is that they are quick to install, especially on larger scale when the equipment is often already onsite. Some projects don't need an excavator they can be dragged into position using a tractor with bucket. Every scenario differs, and resources as well. But I agree it would be a good idea that you've got there! Thanks for the feedback.
12 ft for the imperialists 😂😂
what a neat solution. Hope we can find this product in Costa Rica.